Spirit Control Tower's New Changes

After leaving Chen Qingqing's residence, Shen Long rode his magical artifact to the Free Trade Valley.

He arrived at the Golden Toad Pavilion, and after slightly releasing his Foundation Establishment Realm aura, a tall man in a blue robe strode over.

"Disciple Chen Hai, how may I be of service to my master?"

The man in the blue shirt said enthusiastically.

"I want to buy Law Artifact and Second-Rank Talisman. I've heard that the Golden Toad Pavilion has good stuff, so I came here specifically to take a look."

Shen Long said.

He didn't know if there were any second-tier Demon Beast on the second level of the Spirit Control Tower, so he planned to buy defensive Law Artifact for protection, as well as to prepare for his trip to the Zhao Kingdom.

"Uncle-Master, you've come at the right time. A new batch of goods just arrived a few days ago. Please follow me."

Chen Hai led Shen Long to a secret room.

As soon as Shen Long sat down, a Green-Shirted Attendant came in, placed a cup of fragrant tea on the table, and left.

"May I ask your name, Martial Uncle? This is our shop's catalog of Law Artifact and Talisman. Please take a look."

Chen Hai took out a Dharma Disk that shimmered with blue light and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long examined it carefully and found that High-grade Magical Tool were indeed expensive. A good one would cost three or four thousand Spirit Stone, a Second-Rank Talisman would cost at least several hundred Spirit Stone, and sometimes several thousand, while Talisman Treasure would cost tens of thousands.

He selected a High-grade Magical Tool, the Tidal Water Lock, and a Second-Rank Talisman, the Five Elements Demon-Trapping Talisman. The Tidal Water Lock was a defensive Law Artifact, priced at four thousand Spirit Stone, while the Five Elements Demon-Trapping Talisman cost two thousand Spirit Stone each.

With these two items, Shen Long would have no fear even if there were second-tier Demon Beast on the second level of the Spirit Control Tower.

"I want the Tidal Water Lock and a Five Elements Demon-Trapping Talisman!"

Shen Long said.

"Uncle-Master Shen, please wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Chen Hai got up and left.

Not long after, Chen Hai returned, holding a Blue Storage Bag, which he handed to Shen Long.

Shen Long took the Storage Bag, scanned it with his Divine Sense, nodded, paid the Spirit Stone, and walked out.

He had just stepped out of the Golden Toad Pavilion when he saw Lin Sisi walking towards him.

Lin Sisi had already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm. She didn't seem to recognize Shen Long and brushed past Shen Long.

Shen Long rode his weapon to a steep mountain peak. At the foot of the mountain stood a Golden Stele more than ten feet tall, with three large silver characters "Sky Tiger Peak" written on it.

There were some manors and pavilions on the mountain. Shen Long quickly found the Green Lotus Garden and went inside. It had been empty for a long time. The spirit fields were overgrown with weeds, and the water in the fish pond was somewhat murky.

Is Junior Brother Shen inside?

A pleasant female voice came from outside.

Shen Long went outside and saw a Green-Skirted Young Woman standing at the door. Judging from her aura, she was also Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"My name is Zhao Qian. Senior Sister Chen has already spoken to me. I am in charge of managing the disciples of Sky Tiger Peak. Martial Uncle Song is in seclusion. If Junior Brother Shen needs anything, just let me know."

The Green-Skirted Young Woman introduced herself warmly.

Shen Long invited Zhao Qian inside and inquired about the situation at Sky Tiger Peak. Zhao Qian gave a brief introduction.

"Junior Brother Shen, according to the regulations, what kind of spiritual spirit medicine do you want to plant? What kind of spiritual Spirit Fish do you want to raise? I will send someone to arrange it for you. The seeds of the spirit medicine herbs and the fish fry will be provided by Sky Tiger Peak as part of the benefits. I will send people to help with planting and raising the Spirit Fish. You just need to focus on your cultivation."

Zhao Qian said enthusiastically.

Sky Tiger Peak hasn't had any new blood joining for a long time, and in terms of benefits and treatment, Sky Tiger Peak can only be considered average.

Most newly Foundation Establishment disciples join the inner peak, which offers generous benefits, and the strong remain strong.

Shen Long is going to the Zhao Kingdom this time, and he doesn't know when he will return. Planting spirit medicine or raising Spirit Fish will not yield any returns in the short term, and he will also have to invest a lot of cultivation resources.

"Senior Sister Zhao, I heard that the cave dwelling can be rented out."

Shen Long asked.

"Of course, Junior Brother Shen Junior Brother Shen, are you being sent out on a mission so soon? I wonder how long you plan to rent it out, and when you'll start renting it out? I can introduce you to a few good tenants."

Zhao Qian said enthusiastically.

"I'll be going on a mission in six months, and I'm not sure when I'll be back. Does Senior Sister Zhao have any good suggestions?"

Shen Long asked politely.

"Junior Brother Shen can specify a maximum and a minimum time period, and divide the rent according to the time, such as five years, ten years, and twenty years, with the rent amount for each period. If he cannot return within five years, the lease will automatically renew for ten years; if he cannot return within ten years, the lease will automatically renew for twenty years. The maximum lease term is twenty years."

Zhao Qian said.

"That's a good idea. Then I'll trouble Senior Sister Zhao to introduce me to some good tenants."

Shen Long said sincerely, taking out two Mid-Grade Spirit Stone and handing them to Zhao Qian.

"Junior Brother Shen, there's no need to be so polite. Senior Sister Chen has already spoken to me, and I'll take care of these trivial matters for you. You can focus on your cultivation."

Zhao Qian politely declined Shen Long's bribe.

Shen Long did not insist, and clasped his hands in thanks.

After chatting for a while, Shen Long walked towards a Cyan Pavilion, while Zhao Qian gathered the Qi Refining disciples to help weed and clean the Green Lotus Garden.

The plaque above the Cyan Pavilion read "Green Lotus Pavilion" in large characters. Shen Long pushed open the door and went inside.

The attic was covered in dust, and it was unclear how long it had been uninhabited.

He entered a secret room. In the corner was a magic array more than ten feet in size, with thirty-six grooves on it. To his left was a Cyan Stone Bed about ten feet long.

He took out thirty-six Spirit Stone and placed them into the groove. He then took out a Cyan Token engraved with Cyan Lotus pattern, infused it with Law Power, and a beam of blue light flew out and disappeared into the magic array.

The magic array trembled slightly, and countless mysterious array patterns lit up on its surface. A Cyan Light Screen appeared and enveloped the entire Green Lotus Pavilion.

Shen Long took out a small blue lock, which was the Tidal Water Lock. He sat cross-legged on the stone bed and began to refine the Tidal Water Lock.

After refining the Tidal Water Lock, he infused it with Law Power, and a thick Blue Water Screen appeared, protecting his entire body.

Shen Long nodded and entered the Spirit Control Tower.

The light staircase was still there. Shen Long released several Gold-Eating Ant and let them fly on the light staircase. There was nothing unusual. The light staircase was like a solid object, and the Gold-Eating Ant could not pass through it.

Shen Long retrieved the Gold-Eating Ant, took out the Parent-Child Blades, and walked towards the light ladder. Before long, he arrived at the end of the light ladder, where a light door blocked his way.

He took a deep breath and strode towards the portal.

His body passed through the portal with ease. Shen Long felt a blur before his eyes and suddenly found himself in a crimson space. The ground was crimson, and the temperature was frighteningly high.

He walked forward, carefully observing everything around him.

More than an hour later, Shen Long appeared at the top of a red peak. The fire Spiritual Qi here was relatively abundant. Strangely, he had not encountered any Demon Beast or insects along the way.

After a moment's thought, Shen Long summoned his flying Law Artifact and flew into the sky, though at a slow speed.

Flying to a height of three hundred feet above the ground, Shen Long gasped in shock. Below him stretched a vast and boundless Volcano Cluster.

"A spatial treasure?"

Shen Long's voice trembled slightly.

The fact that the Spirit Control Tower actually had its own spatial dimension was truly beyond his expectations.

He circled around on his magical artifact, encountering neither any Demon Beast or insects nor any restrictions.

"Did the previous owner take all the Spirit Beast with him?"

Shen Long guessed.

He released the Fire Rock Beast Fire Rock Beast let out a joyful roar and burrowed into the ground; it really liked the environment.

"It seems this place is specifically for raising Spirit Beast. Keeping the Fire Rock Beast here is a good choice."

Shen Long said excitedly.

Xu Feng had mentioned that building a good nest for Spirit Insect Spirit Beast would be a good idea, as the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here is abundant, making it a good place to raise Fire Rock Beast.

If a cultivator practicing Fire Element Cultivation Method were to cultivate here, they would achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Shen Long used his magical artifact to circle around the area, checking repeatedly, but he found no Demon Beast or insects, nor any spirit medicine.

"Does this mean I need to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm to enter the second level? If that's the case, then I need to reach the Golden Core Realm to enter the third level?"

Shen Long guessed.

This Volcano Cluster can be used to grow fire-attribute spirit medicine herbs and fruits, as well as to cultivate Fire Element Spirit Beast Spirit Insect.

In this way, Shen Long essentially gained a large personal spiritual field, which was an invaluable asset.

Shen Long exited the Spirit Control Tower. With a thought, the Fire Rock Beast flew out of the Spirit Control Tower and landed in front of Shen Long.

"A high-grade Spirit Beast Bag!"

Shen Long looked excited.

As far as he knew, the spirit beast Spirit Beast Bracelet was more advanced than the Spirit Beast Bag. The Spirit Beast Bracelet had more space and could store different kinds of Spirit Beast, while the Spirit Beast Bag could only store one kind of Spirit Beast.

The Spirit Control Tower also possesses the functions of the Spirit Beast Bracelet, with its own space, making it even more advanced.

In fact, Shen Long couldn't recognize the characters on the Spirit Control Tower either. He consulted the texts introducing the Spirit Control Sect, but still couldn't recognize the characters on the Spirit Control Tower plaque.

Since he couldn't recognize it, Shen Long continued to refer to it as the Spirit Control Tower.

Shen Long took out Communication Disk that was flashing with blue light, and entered a spell. Chen Qingqing's voice rang out. "Junior Brother Shen, I have brought what you asked for and the person you asked for. They are outside Green Lotus Garden."

"Senior Sister Chen, I'll be right out."

Shen Long said.

He recalled the Fire Rock Beast to the Spirit Control Tower, put away the Communication Disk and the Spirit Control Tower, and walked out.

Chen Qingqing and a ruddy-faced old man in a golden robe stood at the entrance of Green Lotus Garden. Shen Long invited them inside.

"Junior Brother Shen, let me introduce you. This is Chen Changsheng Brother Chen Changsheng. He is proficient in weapon crafting. You can learn weapon crafting from him. As for whether you can become Artifact Refiner, that depends on yourself. Here are the things you want."

Chen Qingqing introduced the item, took out a Blue Storage Bag, and handed it to Shen Long.

"This junior brother greets Senior Brother Chen, and thanks Senior Sister Chen."

Shen Long thanked him and accepted the Storage Bag.

"I also live on Sky Tiger Peak, in Golden Crow Garden. Junior Brother Shen wants to refine weapons, just come to my residence. I will teach you diligently. Whether you can become Artifact Refiner depends on you."

Chen Changsheng said.

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother Chen."

Shen Long thanked him.

"No trouble at all. Since Senior Sister Chen has spoken, you don't need to buy Artifact Refining Furnace. I have one, and I'll lend it to you. However, you'll need to prepare your own refining materials. Gather these materials first, and then come find me. I'll teach you how to refine weapons."

Chen Changsheng took out a Golden Jade Slip and handed it to Shen Long.

Shen Long thanked him again and accepted the Golden Jade Slip.

After chatting for a few minutes, Chen Qingqing and Chen Changsheng left.

Shen Long returned to the Green Lotus Pavilion and entered a Cultivation Room.

He took out a Red Jade Slip and immersed his Divine Sense into it.

The Jade Slip contains the Cultivation Method for the first six levels of the <Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Technique>. He is only Foundation Establishment Cultivator and it is impossible for him to obtain the complete cultivation method, even if he cultivates other Cultivation Method.

After a short while, Shen Long removed the Jade Slip, took out a Red Porcelain Bottle, and uncorked it. A pungent smell of blood wafted out.

He pinched his nose and drank the Demon Beast's Essence Blood from the bottle. According to the Cultivation Method, besides drinking the Demon Beast's Essence Blood, it could also be refined into pills for consumption, which would be more effective.

A strong, metallic taste of blood filled Shen Long's mouth, making him feel nauseous. He suppressed his nausea, silently recited the cultivation Mnemonic for the First Floor, and began to cultivate.

Seven days later, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew in and floated in front of him.

Shen Long quickly stopped his practice and exhaled a long breath.

He successfully completed the First Floor of cultivation and could clearly feel that his strength had increased significantly, and his whole body was full of power.

Shen Long grabbed the Sound Transmission Talisman and squeezed it hard. The Sound Transmission Talisman spontaneously combusted, and Zhao Qian's voice rang out. "Junior Brother Shen, are you available now? A junior sister wants to rent your cave dwelling."

"Finally, a tenant has arrived. Hopefully, we can exchange some Spirit Stone for it."

Shen Long muttered to himself and walked out.

Zhao Qian and a slender Green-Robed Maiden dress stood at the entrance of Green Lotus Garden, and Shen Long pushed the door open and came out.

"Junior Brother Shen, let me introduce you. This is Wang Yumei."

Zhao Qian explained.

"So it's Senior Sister Wang, please come in."

Shen Long invited Zhao Qian and Wang Yumei inside and showed them around.

Wang Yumei was very satisfied and asked, "Junior Brother Shen, how many Spirit Stone do you need per year?"

"Three thousand, how about that?"

Shen Long said.

Forty acres of spirit fields, even if planted with Silver Marrow Spirit Rice, yielding 600 catties per acre, would yield 24,000 catties of Silver Marrow Spirit Rice after three years of ripening. At a price of three spirit Spirit Stone for ten catties, it could be sold for 7,200 Spirit Stone, which would amount to 2,400 Spirit Stone per year. This does not include the income from the fish pond and Spirit Lake.

"This price is too expensive; 1,500 would be more reasonable."

Wang Yumei bargained.

After some haggling, an agreement was finally reached: the annual rent was 2,700 Spirit Stone, and Shen Long Wang Yumei would pay ten years' rent in one lump sum. If Shen Long did not return after ten years, the lease would be automatically renewed for fifteen years. If Shen Long did not return after fifteen years, the lease would be automatically renewed for twenty years. After twenty years, the lease would be void.

During this period, if Shen Long returns early, he will only have the right to reside there, but will not have the right to dispose of the spirit fields, fish ponds, and Spirit Lake.

In front of Zhao Qian, they signed a contract in triplicate, one copy for each of the three, including Shen Long. Shen Long received 27,000 Spirit Stone.

"Junior Brother Shen, I'll take my leave now. I'll come back in six months."

Wang Yumei said goodbye and left.

"Senior Sister Zhao, thank you for your hard work. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

Shen Long took out a Cyan Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Qian. Inside were a thousand Spirit Stone.

Zhao Qian accepted it without hesitation.

Shen Long chatted with Zhao Qian for a while and bought a Demon-Testing Mirror from Zhao Qian at a discounted price. It was mainly used to test the Bloodline Purity of Spirit Beast and Spirit Insect.

After seeing Zhao Qian off, Shen Long entered a secret room to refine the Demon-Testing Mirror.

The Demon-Testing Mirror is Mid-grade Magical Tool. It can test the Bloodline Purity of second-tier Spirit Beast without any problem, let alone first-tier Spirit Beast.

He released the Fire Rock Beast, the Gold-Eating Ant Queen, the Iron Tail Scorpion, the Snow Wind Sparrow, and the Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada, and used the Demon-Testing Mirror to test the Bloodline Purity one by one.

The Iron Tail Scorpion and the Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada have Bloodline Purity of two, while the others have a purity of one.

Shen Long can now choose his Life-Bound Spirit Beast. He plans to get a Spirit Beast Spirit Bird, or Spirit Insect with Bloodline Purity to serve as Life-Bound Spirit Beast Life-Bound Spirit Beast yet.

According to the experience of generations of cultivators in the Spirit Control Sect in cultivating their Life-Bound Spirit Beast, Life-Bound Spirit Beast only has the potential and value to be cultivated if its Bloodline Purity reaches level two. The highest Bloodline Purity of the Guardian Spirit Beast of the Spirit Control Sect over the generations is only level four. It is too difficult for Spirit Beast to improve its Bloodline Purity.

It's not that when Spirit Beast advances to a higher realm, its Bloodline Purity will necessarily increase. Some Spirit Beast are hatched with Bloodline Purity of two or three, which is quite rare.

Some second-tier Spirit Beast have the same Bloodline Purity of one, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they will stop at the second tier, and their Divine Ability will not be very strong.

"That's strange. The Iron Tail Scorpion only ate some corpses of Twin-Tail Scorpion, yet it not only mutated but also increased the Bloodline Purity? Or is it because of the Spirit Control Tower?"

Shen Long asked, puzzled.

According to the experience of the predecessors of the Spirit Control Sect in cultivating Mutated Spirit Scorpion, it is considered very good if one out of a thousand first-tier Spirit Scorpion Spirit Scorpion mutates, which is a probability of one in a thousand.

Not only has the Iron Tail Scorpion mutated, but the Bloodline Purity has also increased. Either the Iron Tail Scorpion is special, or it's due to the Spirit Control Tower.

He leaned more towards the latter. If the Iron Tail Scorpion was special, it would have shown it long ago. He didn't believe that the Iron Tail Scorpion could mutate and increase its Bloodline Purity by consuming the corpses of some first-tier Twin-Tail Scorpion and Ink Mustard Grass. Among the examples of mutated first-tier Spirit Scorpion cultivated by the predecessors of the Spirit Control Sect with bloodline purity reaching level two, there were only one in ten thousand.

This shows that the mutation of the Iron Tail Scorpion and the increase in the Bloodline Purity are closely related to the Spirit Control Tower.

Of course, this is just Shen Long's personal speculation. The truth will only be known in the future. After all, he has raised quite a few Spirit Beast. If the Spirit Control Tower really has such heaven-defying supernatural Divine Ability, the Fire Rock Beast, Snow Wind Sparrow, Gold-Eating Ant, and Hundred-Eyed Golden Cicada will all be able to detect the anomaly.

Shen Long fed each of them a Spirit Feeding Pill. He now had over 40,000 Spirit Stone, making him very wealthy.

Shen Long made a trip to the Free Trade Valley, purchased a batch of basic refining materials, and arrived at the entrance of a vast manor with the three large characters "Golden Crow Garden" written on the plaque.

Shen Long sent a Sound Transmission Talisman, and shortly after, the door opened, and a slender girl in a purple dress walked out. "Uncle-Master Shen, Grandfather invites you in."

The girl in the purple dress is Chen Changsheng's granddaughter, Chen Ziyi, who is only at the Qi Refining stage.

Shen Long nodded and followed Chen Ziyi inside. After passing through three arched courtyards, they arrived at a secluded courtyard with a three-story red pavilion inside. The plaque above the pavilion read "Golden Crow Pavilion".

Chen Changsheng came out of the Golden Crow Pavilion and instructed, "Ziyi, you go ahead and do your work! I'll take care of Junior Brother Shen."

Chen Ziyi responded and turned to leave.

"Junior Brother Shen, come with me!"

Chen Changsheng entered the Golden Crow Pavilion, Shen Long followed him in.

The attic was simply furnished with a few tables and chairs. They entered a secret room where the stone walls were engraved with numerous red runes, and the temperature was quite high.

Inside the secret chamber was a red Artifact Refining Furnace, about half the height of a person, with three legs and two handles, and a red cloud pattern on its body.

"Junior Brother Shen, how much do you know about weapon crafting?"

Chen Changsheng asked.

Shen Long naturally knew that Sun Sen had mentioned it when he taught the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, but that was just theory; practical application was another matter entirely.

"You've bought the materials for refining weapons, haven't you? Take out the materials, and I'll demonstrate it for you personally. Then you can practice, and I'll give you pointers."

Chen Changsheng said.

Shen Long nodded and took out the refining materials.

Chen Changsheng opened his mouth and spat out a stream of Golden Flame, which landed at the bottom of the red Artifact Refining Furnace. He then opened the Artifact Refining Furnace lid, threw in the refining materials one after another, and closed the lid.

He explained his insights while refining the weapon.

Shen Long humbly sought advice, and Chen Changsheng patiently provided guidance.

A month passed quickly, and Shen Long and Chen Changsheng walked out of the Artifact Refining Room.

Shen Long looked dejected. He had used up a lot of materials but failed to succeed even once. It was a disastrous situation. He really had no talent for weapon crafting.

This is not surprising. If you know more about the materials used in crafting, you can become Artifact Refiner. Artifact Refiner are everywhere these days.

"Junior Brother Shen, are you really going to give up? Won't you practice a little longer? Diligence can make up for lack of talent, and I'm not holding back any knowledge."

Chen Changsheng said.

"The most valuable thing about a person is self-awareness. I haven't succeeded even once, which clearly shows that I lack talent. Continuing to waste time and money is just a waste of time and resources. I appreciate your hard work during this time, Senior Brother Chen. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

Shen Long took out two thousand Spirit Stone and handed them to Chen Changsheng.

Chen Changsheng accepted the Spirit Stone without hesitation.

"Senior Brother Chen, I'd like to ask you to help me refine a Law Artifact, mainly for changing my appearance. Name your price."

Shen Long said.

"Change your appearance? That's not difficult. I'll charge you two thousand Spirit Stone! Once it's finished, I'll send someone to deliver it to you."

Chen Changsheng said.

"Thank you very much, Senior Brother Chen."

Shen Long thanked him and took out two thousand Spirit Stone, handing them to Chen Changsheng.

"It's nothing. For the sake of your Dao Path, Junior Brother Shen, it would be better if you learned a skill. Alchemy, talisman making, array setting, or winemaking are all fine. Our sect has special halls for teaching these skills. You can provide the fees yourself."

Chen Changsheng advised.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Chen. That's exactly what I was thinking. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

Shen Long thanked him and left Golden Crow Garden.

He took out Communication Disk that was flashing with blue light, cast a spell, and said, "Senior Sister Chen, are you free? I need to talk to you about something."

"It's convenient, come over here!"

Chen Qingqing's voice rang out.

Shen Long agreed, put away the Communication Disk, and used his magical artifact to travel to Chen Qingqing's residence, where he met Chen Qingqing.

"Senior Sister Chen, I have no talent for weapon crafting. Could you introduce me to a Second Rank Talisman Master who is proficient in talisman making and teach me how to make talismans? I'll pay for it myself."

Shen Long said.

"Junior Brother Shen, what identity do you plan to use to cover your trip to the Zhao Kingdom to gather intelligence? If you're Rogue Cultivator, your knowledge of talisman making, pill refining, weapon crafting, and array setting will easily arouse suspicion, especially since you suddenly appeared in the Zhao Kingdom."

Chen Qingqing asked.

"Senior Sister Chen, I don't know much about the Immortal Realm Immortal Realm in the Zhao Kingdom Zhao Kingdom. Could you please give me a brief introduction to it?"

Shen Long asked sincerely.

Sun Sen mentioned the cultivation Immortal Realm of the Zhao Kingdom, but only briefly introduced the cultivation forces in the Zhao Kingdom.

The protagonist doesn't have Life-Bound Spirit Beast yet. I'm thinking of getting one with Bloodline Purity for him. There's no need to rush into choosing an ordinary Spirit Beast as his Life-Bound Spirit Beast. It could be a beast, a Spirit Bird, or even Spirit Insect.